"There is Anton Ferdinand, Elliot Ward, Chris Cohen, Mark Noble, Greg Pearson...all these players have got a chance of playing for West Ham and they have to progress," he enthuses.
"Anton is perhaps ahead of them all - he is a smidgeon away from getting a first team spot.
"That challenge lies before him at the start of next year, and it will be a key period for him.
"Mark Noble and Chris Cohen in particular are West Ham players of the future, of that there is no doubt.
"There is a doubt for Elliot Ward, Greg Pearson, and Graeme Carrick, and they are going to have to work very hard to improve themselves, make sure they stay at West Ham, and play for a club that they both love - I am sure that they can do it.
"We have Darren Blewitt and Tommy Laws as well who are going to threaten defensively, so we are well set - as we have always been lucky enough to be at this club."